Flood sends cabins floating down river in Canadian Arctic

An ice jam caused such severe flooding near the Arctic community of Fort McPherson in Canada’s Northwest Territories, that some cabins were dislodged and sent floating down the Peel River.

The community’s chief, William Koe, said it’s some of the worst flooding they have seen in a long time.

Some of the elders who were out trapping had to be brought back to the community for their safety.

“Most of the cabins up there were in the water. Not sure how half of them made out, but I went around there around six o’ clock and the water went all the way back down. And there’s a couple cabins floating down the river,” said Koe.

Koe said he’s not sure if the cabins have been recovered.

The flooding occurred in the 8-mile area south of the community.

Koe said the water dropped three or four feet Monday. He expects the community is in the clear now, but he’s keeping in touch with people at four camps in the Mackenzie Delta area, which could be at risk of more flooding if the ice jams up again.